Grassley Statement At An Executive Business Meeting

 

We’ve requested that the bill on the agenda and the judicial nominees be held over. I understand that we can voice vote the nominees to be U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal.

 

I’d also like to mention my October 5, 2022, letter to the Justice Department and FBI. That letter is based on whistleblower disclosures about widespread sexual misconduct at the FBI. In that letter, I noted one FBI document that I’ve made public which shows 665 FBI employees retired or resigned to avoid punishment for their misconduct from 2004 to 2020. That includes 45 Senior Executive Service employees.

 

Another FBI document that I’ve made public shows the FBI is aware of higher-graded employees receiving lesser punishment than lower-graded employees for similar misconduct. The documents show a systemic failure within the Justice Department and FBI to put a stop to sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace. The documents show a failure to sufficiently punish employees for that same misconduct.

 

I’ve asked the Justice Department and FBI for more data and for them to explain themselves. They’ve failed to respond. So, on November 2, 2022, I requested that the Justice Department Inspector General review and investigate these and related matters. I fully expect an update from the Inspector General and for him to take action. 

 

Now, going forward, Chairman Durbin and I have agreed to join forces with respect to investigating these FBI sexual misconduct issues next Congress. We’re also working together to investigate similar misconduct at the Department of Homeland Security, which will continue into next Congress.

 

These are important bipartisan investigations and I look forward to jointly pursuing them.

 

As I’m sure everyone here would agree, Congress has an obligation to perform an objective and independent review of these serious governmental failures and create positive change. Government employees shouldn’t have to suffer under daily abuse and misconduct by their colleagues and supervisors.

 

Lastly, as I often say, our doors are always open for more whistleblowers.